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When there’s something strange in the neighborhood, movie aficionados know to call a certain team of paranormal experts. However, if you’re looking for an up-to-date national resource for travelers, consider calling 511. While 911 is reserved for the police and 411 is a local directory, 511 is for real-time traffic information. Provided by the US Department of Transportation, the 511 traffic system is an unparalleled resource for most seasoned travelers.

According to the DMV, the 511 system will give you real-time information about road closures, accidents, detours, and even weather alerts. If you plan on driving up to Canada, you can learn about border crossing wait times, or you can even get ride-sharing details if you’d like to save some money on gas. Currently 35 states participate in the 511 system (perhaps one reason not everyone knows about it), so it’s a great resource for road trips out of state.

How does it work? Naturally you can simply dial 511 in New York; however, the state also offers other ways to access information. For instance, you can check the online 511 homepage for New York for live camera feeds. You can also use a smartphone app or check the state social media accounts, and you even sign up for My 511NY to get information about your daily commute. Just keep in mind to pull over before calling 511 if you’re on the highway.

Looking for the perfect vehicle for your traveling needs? Look no further than one of our vehicles at Wantagh Mazda.

Baseball fans, get excited and come see the Mazda CX-9 previously owned by famous baseball player Luis Severino. On sale now at Wantagh Mazda is a 2017 CX-9 Signature Edition that was owned by this NY Yankees all-star pitcher, and you can be the next driver behind the wheel.

In 2017, Luis Severino burst onto the scene as one of baseball’s best pitchers. He was named an all-star and was in the running for the coveted Cy Young Award, which is given each year to baseball’s best pitchers. He performed remarkably well throughout the entire Yankee season, finishing the year with 31 starts, a 14-6 record, a 2.98 ERA (earned run average), and 230 strikeouts.

This extra-special 2017 CX-9 has fewer than 5,000 miles on it, and its Signature Trim level means that it comes equipped with numerous high-end, luxurious features. Its exterior is jet black and its interior features premium, auburn leather. The CX-9’s beautiful design led it to make both the Autotrader.com and WardsAuto list of 10 Best Interiors – as well as WardsAuto’s 10 Best Engines list and Car and Driver’s 10 Best SUVs list. This CX-9 comes equipped with an advanced SKYACTIV®-G 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing that offers the perfect balance of power and efficiency, boasting 250 horsepower as well as a respectable 26 mpg on the highway*.

Come into Wantagh Mazda to see this valuable, one-of-a-kind 2017 CX-9 and get in the driver’s seat that once belonged to Luis Severino.

On December 31st, New York City always hosts one of the biggest celebrations of the year. People from all over the world come to spend the last few hours of the year in Times Square. If you are feeling up to the challenge this year, here are a few tips to help you travel to New York City for New Year’s Eve.

Leave Early. The countdown may not start until midnight, but people start arriving by late morning. The best spots start filling up by noon and the city recommends arriving before 3pm.

Head North. Enter Times Square from the north since most of the crowds start filling in on the south end.

Avoid the Subway. While you might think a subway stop at Times Square is the ideal way to travel, it will be a madhouse, if open at all. Try the B, D, F, or M lines and get off at Rockefeller Center.

Pack Food. Once you score your spot, you will not want to leave it. Pack your own food; however, drink as little as possible because bathroom breaks are nearly nonexistent.

Have an Escape Plan. Plan a route to get your out of Times Square and the city beforehand.

Another great tip for drivers to have a vehicle equipped with advanced safety features like Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support—great for navigating through crowded city streets. If you need a new ride before the year ends, comes visit us at Wantagh Mazda.

Whether you’re behind the wheel of a Mazda CX-9, CX-5, or CX-3, you’re at a huge advantage when it comes to winter driving. With superior performance and safety features, your Mazda SUV is well equipped to handle difficult cold weather conditions. Even so, it’s important to take these precautions to prepare your Mazda for cold weather driving.

Wax and cover

Colder weather means more salt and snow on the roads. These can corrode your vehicle’s exterior so be sure to put on a coat of wax before winter hits and cover your car to protect it from the elements.

Battery

Cold weather puts additional strain on your battery. As temperatures drop, make sure your battery is fully charged. And if it is excessively corroded, replacing it now could save you from being stranded in the cold.

Tires

Crossovers and SUV are engineered to perform well in less than ideal conditions, but without proper maintenance, your car may not be able to hold up properly under tough conditions. Make sure tires are properly aligned and inflated before you hit the road in the ice or snow.

Emergency Kit

Be sure to keep emergency items such as blankets, a flashlight, an extra gas tank, and water in your car as winter approaches. A little preparation now will go a long way in the case of an emergency.

Follow these simple tips and don’t let winter keep you from driving safely this year. And to find the perfect vehicle for any time of year, stop by Wantagh Mazda today!

All year, kids look forward to Halloween night when they can dress up as their favorite characters and go out for a fun night of trick or treating. Follow these trick or treating safety tips to make sure everyone has a great Halloween this year!

Walk Safely

In all the excitement of Halloween night, it can be easy to forget basic safety precautions while on foot. Make sure kids remember to look both ways before crossing the street and only cross at designated spots. Also, put electronic devices away so everyone can focus on what’s going on around them.

Group Up

Whether you’ll be out with the kids this year or they’ll be out on their own, there is safety in numbers. If your kids are mature enough to be out without adult supervision, have them group up with trusted friends and stick to neighborhoods close to home.

Safe Costumes

Integrate reflective materials and bright colors into a costume for something as fun as it is safe. Dark colors might seem appropriate but they make children hard to spot in the dark. Additionally, use bright face paint instead of masks to keep your child’s eyes and mouth unobstructed.

Drive Safe

If you’ll be out on Halloween night, keep in mind that children will be all over and be moving around unpredictably. Keep your eyes on the road and drive slowly even after designated trick or treating times.

For a vehicle that offers unbeatable safety and performance, stop by Wantagh Mazda today. But remember, while Mazda’s advanced safety features do a lot of the work for you, nothing replaces safe and responsible driving on your part.

Every vehicle purchase at Wantagh Mazda comes with a free first oil change. However, you shouldn’t stop with just the first service appointment. Regular vehicle maintenance is essential for preserving performance and fuel economy, and it can even extend the life of your car. That’s why we’ve put together a list of important vehicle maintenance for you to keep track of.

According to Consumer Affairs, it used to be that you should start with an oil change once every 3,000 miles or every three months, but today’s engines can go longer between changes, so you should check your owner’s manual for the interval needed. Oil degrades over time, losing essential detergent compounds and getting dirtier the more you drive. Because oil is used to lubricate parts and to move heat away from moving components, that means delaying an oil change could have long-term effects.

Next, check the tires at least once a month. You should use a tread-depth indicator to measure tire tread—anything less than 2/32-inch could be dangerous. If you don’t have a tread-depth indicator, you can just to do the penny test. Simply flip a penny upside down and put it in the middle of the tread. If you can see above Abe Lincoln’s head, you need new tires. While you’re at it, check the tire pressure as well, and every few oil changes, make sure to have your mechanic rotate your tires.

Finally, top off the fluids every few months. You should check coolant/antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and steering fluid.

These are just some of the basic things you can do to keep your car in prime condition. Stop by our service center for all your maintenance needs.

Winter is the perfect time to get some travelling done, especially in the area. With kids off school and vacation time to use up before the end of the year, take a drive to one of the many winter weekend getaways in the New York vicinity. Check out this list of New York winter getaways.

According to Travel and Leisure, one of the top places to visit is the Hudson River Valley. You can get a room in the historic Bear Mountain Inn, located just an hour north of the city. Nearby is Hyde Park, home to FDR’s home, Bear Mountain, and a range of museums on the Revolutionary War blockade.

Stop by Montauk if you’re looking for some scenic views. There is an 11-acre resort in the northwest corner of Long Island, as well as the extensive State Park. Montauk also has a lighthouse with stunning views of the bay, ocean, and a range of wildlife. Bird watchers will love it.

Finally, drive to Boston. If you have never been to Beantown, you must visit the Lenox Hotel, the Isabela Stewart Gardner Museum, and more. Get food at Mike’s Pastry or Maria’s Pastry in the North End. You can get famous seafood at Neptune Oyster, and the Freedom Trail is known for its history and walking tours. Though obviously not in New York, Boston is the perfect getaway for the winter.

Taking care of a new car is an easy task to accomplishment thanks to modern engineering. Most cars don’t need routine maintenance for thousands of miles. There’s still work to be done to ensure your car runs in tip-top shape in the later years though! Here are a few new car care tips to help you in the long run from us here at Wantagh Mazda!

Read – Learning about your car is one of the best things you can do. Knowledge is power, after all. Start by flipping through your owner’s manual and read up on the important points, especially things you may end up doing yourself in the future. Make sure to mark the service schedule as well!

Drive – It’s important to break an engine in the right way. Avoid flooring it and idling for long periods of time. Drive normally and your engine will run like a dream for years to come..

Insure – If you chose to forego gap insurance, it might be time to reconsider. The last thing any driver wants is to get into an accident early into their car’s lifespan. If the car is totaled and you don’t have sufficient insurance, you’re stuck paying for a car you no longer own. That’s a situation no driver wants to be in.

For more new car care tips, contact one of our service specialists at Wantagh Mazda in Wantagh, NY